Recordar Es Vivir

To remember is to live. Translation of the title and always my thoughts on November 2.
Altar display at Tohono Chul for my grandmother, great grandmother, mom.

The altar display went well. I brought items that were relevant to my grandmother such as sea shells (she loved to walk on the beach and collect shells), photos of:  her BFF friend Carmelita, her mom (my great grandmother next to the white frame of Carmelita), family photo in the front with my mom, and her daughter (my mom at the end by the bible). Also her favorite color - pink, some tiny dishes, a wooden chocolate mixer, flowers, candles. Forgot to fill the cup with coffee (cafecito).

At the last minute I also brought postcards of the painting to give as mementos, keepsakes of the event. People loved them and I wish I had brought more.

My grandmother was passionate about the Virgin de Guadalupe, the bible, church so there were items for that as well. You never know what people will be drawn to and I was surprised how many questions I received regarding the wooden chocolate mixer and the significance of the shells.

I must have demonstrated the use of the wooden hand mixer and the making of Mexican hot chocolate at least a dozen times, rolling the handle quickly between my hands.

Dia De Los Muertos Altar for my Abuelita Margarita Gomez Macias - Tohono Chul 

Talking and explaining non-stop from 5 - 8 pm was exciting but exhausting and towards the end I was getting a little hoarse. Also, in the rush to get everything, get out there and set up, I forgot a sweater. By 7:30 pm it was chilly and I was glad I had brought the jeans to change.

It was a new experience to share my family memories and photos. People were fascinated by the old photos and personal items. They were kind, respectful and curious.
By now Many have learned about hand making Mexican hot chocolate with a traditional tool over a stove! I bet if I held a tiny cooking class on just that I would have gotten a fair attendance :)  Who could know? I hope at least one person is inspired to try this old fashioned, traditional method.

Face Painting for Feast of The Dead

Alright, here's a little side painting that turned out to be a blast. Did I say I love to paint? My canvas can be traditional, cookie or face/body.
These are a couple of the Many faces I painted for Tucson Botanical Gardens Feast of the Dead event this past Saturday.
The theme was Day of the Dead so it was mostly skulls except for grandmothers who just wanted something on their cheek or the little ones who wanted animals or something very simple.

I am grateful someone took these photos because the reality was that almost as soon as I got there (and I arrived 20 min. early) people started lining up to get their faces painted. My plans to have photos taken never happened because the line for face painting never let up and was at least 6 people deep for the next 2 hours.

There was another face painter there whom I never formally met because even though I arrived early - he was there Earlier already painting!
He had a large kit full of paints, sequins etc. and as it turns out, he is a professional face painter so his kit was very tricked out and he was very experienced. I brought some nice Snazzaroo face paints, my paint brushes, some wipes and water thinking I would have time to get fresh water, wipes etc. - never happened.

It was an intense two hours of painting and at the stroke of exactly 7 pm the other face painter packed up and left - quickly. He was already booked for another gig and knew as long as he stayed, people would keep coming.

I stayed an extra 30 minutes to finish the little ones that had been waiting and one lovely Mariachi girl, then I packed it in too. 

What a fun event - I was buzzed on adrenaline driving home thinking wow, I had a great time AND got tips! Actually it was the other painter who put out a tip jar and people just started giving me tips too - which made me smile All the way  home.   A bit of extra cash to keep my Risa in cans of her favorite doggy food - LOL :~D

I hope TBG keeps me in mind for next year. Then I will be a bit more prepared for the crowd, with more glitter colors (love using them!!) sequins, glitter paint. As it turned out I did pretty good with eight colors, two glitters, a water bottle, some wipes and a handful of brushes. Plus when people found out what I paint for my day job, dogs/animals, they asked for my card.

Painted lots of skulls - calaveras. All the while in the background there was a fabulous Mariachi youth band which I loved and could have listened to all night.

Keep your eyes open for next years Tucson Botanical Feast of the Dead event. Music, food, sugar skull decoration, presentations and Face Painting "~)

The next event will be the Luminaria Nights December 7, 8, 9 from 5:30 - 8 pm. A lovely evening at the gardens full of twinkling lights, music and treats.